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JAMIRA JENKINS and RAFAEL DIAZ arrested on animal cruelty and narcotics charges

Updated: Oct 8, 2024

- Rhode Island, USA -

 

~ Update: October 8, 2024

 

After emailing the Pawtucket Police Department to inquire about the dogs, I heard from Lt. Skahan and he kindly answered my questions:

 

Voice For Us: With regard to the animal cruelty aspect of the case, would you please disclose how the rescued dogs are doing?

Lt. Skahan: The dogs are scheduled to see a veterinarian tomorrow, 10/8. We will know more about their condition and needs then.

 

Voice For Us: Were any of them euthanized?

Lt. Skahan: No dogs have been euthanized.

 

Voice For Us: Were they found neglected/injured?

Lt. Skahan: The dogs were in varying conditions but it was apparent that they were not provided with adequate living conditions.

 

Voice For Us: Were any animals found deceased?

Lt. Skahan: No.

 

Voice For Us: Why did the pair have so many dogs?

Lt. Skahan: They did not provide any explanation.

 

Voice For Us: Were they fighting them or breeding them?

Lt. Skahan: We do not have evidence to support charges of fighting or illegal breeding.

 

Voice For Us: Would you please share the dogs’ age, name, breed, and gender?

Lt. Skahan: There are 5 female bulldog mixes. 5 male bulldog mixes. 1 female great dane mix. We do not have names or definitive ages for them.

 

Voice For Us: Are there any pictures of the dogs that can be shared?

Lt. Skahan: Photos will be available after their initial veterinarian visit.

 

Additional information will be added as I know more.


~ Original story:


The Pawtucket Police Department’s Narcotics Unit launched an investigation into “distribution of large amounts of Cocaine” from a home on Don Court in Pawtucket into several surrounding communities.

 

Following the investigation, on October 1, 2024, the Narcotics Unit along with members of the Pawtucket Police Department’s K-9 Unit, executed a court-ordered search warrant at the home.

 

The search led to the discovery of eleven dogs whose living conditions were described by police as “deplorable.” The furvictims were removed from the home and were taken to the Pawtucket Animal Shelter to be evaluated and cared for.

 

Police arrested 26-year-old JAMIRA JENKINS and 50-year-old RAFAEL DIAZ (both pictured). The duo were charged with eleven counts of “Unnecessary Cruelty to Animals” and multiple drug charges.

 

I have emailed the Director of Pawtucket Animal Shelter to inquire about the eleven dogs but at the time of writing I have not heard back from her.

  

# # #

 

Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Pawtucket Police Department provided to Voice For Us. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

Mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Pawtucket Police Department



MICHAEL J. DIAZ arrested – Three dead dogs and four malnourished dogs found at his home

- Rhode Island, USA -

 

~ Update: August 31, 2024

 

On August 27, 2024, MICHAEL J. DIAZ was arraigned in Kent County District Court on four misdemeanor counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals, failing to provide adequate living conditions, food and water, and three felony counts unnecessary cruelty to animals resulting in death.

 

DIAZ did not enter a plea and was released on $5,000 personal recognizance.



~ Update: August 27, 2024

 

I heard back from the Warwick Police Department. With regards to the deceased furvictims, I was told: “There is a necropsy exam scheduled, however, malnourishment and abuse appear to be obvious contributing factors in their death.  Fighting may be an additional cause.  The exam will assist in determining the exact cause of death for each animal.”

 

I was further told that: “The defendant was seen in court today for arraignment and released on $1,000.00 PR and has a Felony Screening date of 12/2/2024.”

 

Please find below the answers from the Warwick Police Department to my questions:

 

Voice For Us: With regard to the dogs who were found deceased, was the arrestee able to provide their age, name, breed, and gender?

Police: These details were not provided by Diaz.  The exam will provide further information.

 

Voice For Us: Regarding the rescued dogs, what additional information can you provide? 

Police: They have been transported to the Warwick Animal Shelter to receive additional food, care, and treatment.

 

Voice For Us: Are there any pictures of the dogs that you can share for my article?

Police: Not at this time.

 

Voice For Us: Why did the arrestee have so many dogs? Was he breeding or fighting them?

Police: That is still under investigation.

 

 

~ Original story:



The Warwick Police Department arrested 22-year-old MICHAEL J. DIAZ (pictured).

 

Warwick police and Animal Control were called to a home on 222 Sand Pond Road after receiving a report about a dog who was in the backyard and that appeared to be malnourished and in poor health.

 

Responding officers found a dog who was severely emaciated and had open sores.

 

While in the backyard, officers could hear additional dogs inside the home …”and detected a strong odor of feces, urine and decay emanating from the inside. Based on the circumstances, Warwick Police Detectives obtained a search warrant for the property,” police said in a release.

 

The warrant sadly led to the discovery of three deceased dogs. Officials also found four live dogs who were emaciated and were taken to the Warwick Animal Shelter.

 

In connection with this case, police arrested DIAZ on August 26, 2024, and charged him with three felony counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals resulting death and four misdemeanor counts of unnecessary cruelty to animals by failing to provide adequate living conditions, food and water.

 

DIAZ will be held at the police station until his hearing at the Third District Court in Kent County on August 27, 2024.

 

Police said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this case should contact Sgt. Nate Chea at (401) - 468 - 4261 or the Warwick police tip line at (401) - 468 - 4233. Thank you!

 

# # #

 

Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Warwick Police Department provided to Voice For Us. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 

 

DIAZ’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Warwick Police Department




TIFFANY VANSTONE arrested – Several cats and five children removed from a Johnston home

- Rhode Island, USA -

 

The Johnston Police Department received reports of children living in possible deplorable conditions at a home on 41 Harris Avenue.

 

On the late night of Wednesday, August 14, 2024, officers responded to the home and conducted a well-being check. Police found several cats and five children. Throughout the home officers observed trash, feces, and moldy food.

 

Animal Control was called in to remove the cats who were found without food or water.

 

Among the children living at the home was a seven-week-old infant. The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) responded to the scene and took the juveniles to the Hasbro Children’s Hospital to be evaluated.

 

On August 15, 2024, police arrested the children’s mother, 40-year-old TIFFANY VANSTONE (pictured), on a warrant for unnecessary cruelty to animals and five felony counts of cruelty to or neglect of a child. She was arraigned and issued a $10,000 personal recognizance bail. The court also ordered her not to have unsupervised contact with her children.

 

Town Building Officials have since deemed the house uninhabitable.

 

I have emailed Johnston Police Department and Animal Control to inquire about the cats but at the time of writing, I have not heard back from them.

 

# # #

 

Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release provided to Voice For Us by the Johnston Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

 


VANSTONE's mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Johnston Police Department.



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